Month: June 2016

IDAC has rejected Gor Mahia’s appeal against the IDCC ruling that docked the club three points due to crowd trouble in the match against Tusker. The ruling now stands and Gor Mahia have gone from first to fourth position. Gor Mahia will also have to pay the costs associated with the appeal.

The IDCC ruling has proven that even if Gor Mahia are not the host team, they will still be held responsible for policing their own fans. Above all things, the ruling shows that IDCC is now taking a no-nonsense stance against acts of hooliganism. Accordingly the club must now step up its game regarding match security.

This means properly trained and accredited stewards, additional police in the crowds as well as plain clothes policemen within the crowd. This is something chairman Ambrose Rachier promised in January yet was nowhere to be seen against Tusker. Bhang smoking which is commonplace in matches and which leads to irrational fan behavior should be banned and bhang users should be arrested. As this column pointed out in January, significant portion of the Sportpesa sponsorship money should be allocated to security.

Fans must also police themselves. The primary culprit in the Tusker match is likely well known and should have been reported to the police by fans who know him.

The players are working hard in training and on the field to earn precious points in each game. Therefore a few unruly fans should not undo the hard work of the players. The club is also lucky to have signed a sponsorship after three years without a sponsor. Fan behavior could lead to cancelation of the sponsorship or refusal by Sportpesa to renew the deal when it expires.

Gor Mahia are on track to successfully defend their KPL Top 8 title. On Sunday they beat Tusker 1-0 thanks to a sublime free-kick from Francis Kahata.

Additional reporting from futaa.com
Francis Kahata scored an incredible free kick in the dying minutes of the first half to hand Gor Mahia a 1-0 win against Tusker during KPL Top 8 match second leg played on Sunday 19 at Nyayo National Stadium.

Gor Mahia controlled possession from kickoff and forced Okello into a routine saves with powerful drives coming from Tuyisenge and Agwanda.

Jose Marcello’s men were unperturbed and gave Tusker fc a torrid first half dominating so much in possession but Ghanian import Stephen Owusu offered a reminder of the threat posed by Tusker FC when he forced Fredrick Onyango into a back peddle save with a low drive from 5 yards.

Jacques Tuyisenge and Enock Agwanda missed further chances as Gor Mahia applied relentless pressure, and they finally broke through in the dying minutes of the first half with a superb free kick coming from Francis Kahata at the edge of the box after Jacques Tuyisenge had been fouled by Eugene Asike.

Second half

After the break , Tusker FC enjoyed 60% in possession but never troubled Gor Mahia as their attacking line of Noah Wafula, Stephen Owusu and Michael Khamati were kept in scarps.

Poor Tusker

Tusker were struggling to create clear-cut openings and it ended up with Gor Mahia enjoying their spells a clear indication of how Brewers were similarly short of ideas.

However, Tusker could have equalized through Robert Omunuk but Jerim Onyango impressed with a great save to deny the former Sony Sugar man a debut goal in his return to the club. Finally Paul Nkata’s side upped the ante and began to camp in the final third, though found chances difficult to come by.

Paul Nkata’s side knew it would require a masterful performance to overturn the deficit and they were hard pressed to create any real chances.

In the final minutes Tusker looked so frustrated and lacked the spark they have shown so far this season.

The 1-0 win by Gor Mahia ensured they booked a spot in the final with a 3-0 aggregate after they had won 2-0 in the first leg match. They will play Muhoroni Youth in the final.

The much vaunted acquisition of Brazilian Thiago Lima Da Silva appears to have come a cropper. According to Ngala, head coach Jose Fereira has expressed concerns over the player’s fitness as the striker has not featured in competitive football for long and has requested for more time to monitor the player closely. He is expected to give his report over his assessment of the Brazilian on Tuesday 21 June, a feedback that will guide the club on whether to sign the player or explore other options.

“The coach has expressed some concerns over his fitness levels. He has been out of action for long and is not in proper shape to play at the moment. The coach requested for more time to look at him and we are expecting a feedback next Tuesday. If the coach thinks it will take longer for him to be ready to play then we will have to look for other options” said Ngala according to futaa.com

Thiago Lima who had already been nicknamed as “Thigo” after the legendary high priest of Gor Mahia football Allan Thigo. However he has not proven worthy of that name either in training or during his appearance against Naivas. And the Macau League where he scored 15 goals is several notches lower than the Kenya premier league.

If this deal falls through, it will be the second time Gor Mahia has failed to do due diligence on a Brazilian player. In 2012, another Brazilian Giovanni Rodriguez Bissolli was also declared unfit by then coach Zdravko Logarusic. Whereas last time Bissoli was recomended by an agent, this time however it was Ze Maria who recommended him.

Gor Mahia will now search for an alternate striker. Fans wanted Meddie Kagere back. But that is complicated by the fact that Kagere may already be in negiotiations with arch rivals Ingwe and by the fact that Aucho’s move to Glasgow Rangers is not complete.

When asked why he chose Da Silva instead of Kagere, Ze Maria had earlier said he did not think that the Rwandese striker would repeat his success from 2015.

You know Kagere had a good history here at the club but that wouldn’t have repeated itself when I refer to the past. Kaka did well at AC Milan but when he returned, he didn’t replicate his earlier shows. Ibrahimovic (Zlatan), Beckham (David) both suffered the same, it’s not easy for these things to repeat themselves in the world of football, I am not discrediting Kagere, he is a good player but this would have been difficult on his side,

“We need other things, new energies in the squad. Thiago is a new player who has a good reason to do well because he is on the continent for the very first time. He has quality, a strong player and hope he will get time to demonstrate that for the team,” Ze Maria said.

Gor Mahia will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg clash with Tusker on Sunday as both sides vie for a place in the KPL Top 8 finals. Tusker would have to beat Gor Mahia by a score of 3-0 to advance. It will be a tall order for the ale-men as Gor Mahia are in rare form. Skipper James Situma understands the tall task ahead.

“We are 2-0 down against a good side and it will be difficult for us, but we have the courage, so we must put in the focus and play with determination. We are optimistic of getting a win,” he said to the Nation

Gor Mahia will once again rely on Jacque Tuyisenge for goals upfront and the Rwandese striker is rearing to go

“It will be a big match. I know they (Tusker) will want to come at us very hard because they also want to win this trophy. They weren’t at their best last weekend and it was easy to deal with them but I know things may be different tomorrow (Sunday). We have to be at our best,” Tuyisenge told Sunday Nation Sport.

Coach Marcelo Ferreira for his part has made it clear that not only is he gunning for a Top 8 win, but he wants to win a treble.

“Yes, I believe we can win all the title this season because this is Gor Mahia and we are expected to win every match and trophies that come our way. It’s possible looking at how that team has picked,’ the K’Ogalo tactician declared.

New signing Baron Oketch who was the subject of Tusker’s appeal, played well when he came into the game and could be deployed in the starting line-up this time. He gave full back Eugene Asike a torrid time.

Khalid Aucho returned to training this week and may be fielded. He is available to play as he awaits a Visa that will allow him to travel to Glasgow for trials.

Even without Aucho, the coach is certain that Kogalo will hit on all cylinders for the rest of the season.

“I have a very good squad. They always work hard and always want to win. That’s good for us because we have focus. They have been improving daily and I’m proud of them,” Marcelo noted.

Gor Mahia will open their 2016 GoTV shield campaign on June 25 when they take on Mahakama Mombasa. The tournament will feature sixty four teams with the winner pocketing Ksh 2 million and earning the right to represent Kenya in the 2017 CAF Confederations cup.

“This year we want to make it bigger and better, and as SuperSport we will showcase the games in each round starting with the first round on the weekend of the 25th. We will go far and wide to bring the matches from as many parts of the country as possible,” said Head of SuperSport Africa Andre Venter during the launch on Thursday.

“We are also thankful to FKF, with the new office under Nick Mwendwa, who has been supportive from the very start of their tenure and we believe with this great cooperation will result to a great tournament,” he added.

“We are happy to partner with SuperSport in yet another milestone in Kenyan Football, it is our belief that this tournament being FKF’s first since assuming office will be a step in the right direction not only for the participating clubs but also for us a federation and football in general,” said FKF President Nick Mwendwa to supersport.

And added he; “In line with best football practices, FKF will pay allowances for match officials and hire venues for the tournament to enable clubs concentrate on the competition.”

Three Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs will skip the tournament including 2005 winners Nairobi City Stars, 2014 champions Sofapaka both of whom cited lack of funds, as well as two time victors Mathare United.

Last year, Kogalo beat Langata Gremio (3-0), Ushuru (3-2), Palos (4-2) and Administration Police (3-1) before succumbing to fatigue and losing to Nakumatt in the semis on penalties.

Historically, Gor Mahia are the most succesful team in this tournament, having lifted the trophy ten times with the first one coming in 1976.

Meanwhile Tusker, having failed to eliminate Kogalo via a boardroom decision, are now vowing to win on the field on Sunday.

“Who said we are out? We are 100% in the competition and I am sure we will reverse the scores in the second leg. Football is an unpredictable game which always surprises even the players, but I believe we have the character to go past them and qualify for the finals.” said Paul Nkata the Tusker coach to goal.com

Gor Mahia midfield dynamo Khalid Aucho, has been named the SJAK/Sportpesa Best Player of the Month for Mayduring an event conducted on Wednesday at Camp Toyoyo training ground.

Aucho has been a tireless runner, efficiently protecting the defence winning midfield battles and providing well timed passes. His brilliant play helped the club climb from near the relegation zone to the top of the table at a dissyingly rapid speed.

The award comes with a prize of Sh100, 000 and a 43-inch television screen. Gor Mahia will also get Sh50, 000 for producing him as the best player.

Aucho is the fourth player to win the Award this year after Posta Rangers’ striker Timothy Otieno (February), Bandari defender Shariff Mohammed (March) and Muhoroni Youth striker Wycliffe Ochomo (April).

Aucho who is scheduled to leave for Scotland where he will play for Glasgow Rangers, has expressed a keen interest in making the move to Europe.

“It is just a matter of time before everything goes through. I have already done everything on my part and all that is remaining is for them to do their part and come for my services. It is my dream to play in Europe and this is a massive step in my career.

“However, until that happens, I will continue to give my best for Gor Mahia because it is my club.”

Gor Mahia’s Brazilian striker Thiago Lima Da Silva is eager to make his presence felt in the Kenya Premier League. Da Silva who played for CD Monte Carlo in the Macau league, is promising to score at least 15 goals during the second leg of the KPL season.

“In 10 months while at Monte Carlo, I scored 24 goals, now in five months with Gor Mahia, I want to score at least 15. I know I can make it although I don’t know much about the Kenyan league,” Da Silva told Capital Sport.

So far Da Silva has appeared in one friendly match (against Naivas) where he came on as a second half substitute. He says he is happy with the welcome he received in Kenya as well as the weather.

“So far, I feel happy with the club. Everybody has welcomed me well and the weather is good just like Brazil. I’ve heard so much about the club, the fans and how they love the team and I look forward to the experience,” he added.

Da Silva is currently awaiting an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before he can turn out for Kogalo.

There are currently doubts about Da Silva. But the club chairman has insisted that they trust Ze Maria’s. And team captain Musa Mohamed concurs.
“He (Marcelo) has brought a lot of confidence into the team because he is a coach who trusts in the players. We have grown as a team, playing more with the ball. He has brought good change to us,” Mohammed said to Capital FM.

Oguda discredits Tusker Protest

Tusker FC on Tuseday filed a formal protest against Gor Mahia asking to have Gor Mahia disqualified from the KPL Top 8 because Gor Mahia fielded Baron Okech Jobita whom Tusker claims is ineligible.
“We are hereby launching a complaint over Gor Mahia fielding an ineligible player; Baron Oketch during our KPL Top 8 match against them on the 12th of June 2016 at Nyayo Stadium. Subject to this, we are requesting to be awarded the match as the rules were not duly followed,” the letter, signed by Tusker CEO Charles Obiny, said.

Tusker forwarded their protest letter to both FKF and the IDCC

However KPL chair Jack Oguda stated that Jobita was duly registered by the club and thus eligible to play on Sunday.
“They sent a protest and we responded this morning. The player is duly registered and documentation has already been sent to FKF for the issuing of his license,” Oguda said.

This weekend, Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira aka Ze Maria was dissapointed to watch his former team Brazil get eliminated from the Copa America after a 0-1 loss to lowly Peru. However his spirits were immediately lifted when Gor Mahia comprehensively outplayed league leading Tusker to emerge with a comfortable 2-0 lead from the first leg.

The young players on the team were particularly impressive. New signing Baron Oketch has barely settled in the team but played a stellar game , giving experienced full back Eugene Asike a torrid time. Amos Nondi, a product of the Gor Mahia U19 side is took a strong first step towards making a case for inclusion in the starting line-up.

Eric Ouma “Marcelo” had yet another stellar game to follow up from his impressive performances in the first leg and with the national team.

“We had many youthful players in the match today, five or six so we have a young team which is great and they showed it. The players had injuries thus providing opportunity to promote others so that’s good for us,” said coach Ze Maria to supersport.

One player that Gor Mahia fans are eager to see in action is Thiago Lima Da Silva, the Brazilian import. His first appearance in the Kogalo jersey was inauspicious. But Jacque Tuyisenge is optimistic that he can form an effective strike partnership with the Brazilian import.

“I just returned to training recently and I have only had few sessions with him. I cannot judge him because I have not watched him in a competitive match but I think he is a good striker going by what I have seen in training.

“We have not really played together in training but I know there are some friendly matches lined up for us and we will get that chance to play together. When we play together then I will know if we can form a good combination in matches,” Tuyisenge told Soka.

However many fans are unconvinced and are wondering why the club did not bring back Kagere who has a proven scoring record.

Gor Mahia registered a comprehensive 2-0 win over Tusker in the opening leg of the 2016 KPL top 8 semi-finals. The goals came from Jacque Tuyisenge and Enock Agwanda.
Additional Reporting from goal.com
K’Ogalo overcame Tusker FC in the tournament’s first leg semi-final contest played at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday

Kenyan Premier League Top 8 champions Gor Mahia overcame Tusker by a 2-0 margin in the tournament’s semi-final match played at Nyayo stadium on Sunday.

The ball remained in the brewers’ half for the first ten minutes of the game with runs from which Collins Shivachi was forced to concede a corner-kick to show K’Ogalo’s intention of winning the game.

Just after youngster Eric Ouma ‘Marcelo’ had outclassed Shafiq Batambuze, Enock Agwanda picked out Rwandese Jacques Tuyisenge who, in style, went past Eugine Asike to unleash a thunderbolt for Gor Mahia’s opener on the 13th minute.

Tusker tried to push thereafter featuring Humphrey Mieno, Mike Khamati and Osborne Monday with attempts which could have leveled matters thanks to Jerim Onyango heroics. On the 33rd minute, midfielder Francis Kahata took a corner-kick from which striker Enock Agwanda’s header doubled the lead.

Jacques Tuyisenge was almost completing a brace six minutes later before Innocent Wafula squandered another clear chance with a shot outside the target. For sure, K’Ogalo could have gone to the changing room with more than two goals if they could have utilized well all their chances.

Second half started on a higher note for Gor Mahia with several runs towards Tusker’s danger-zone and the tempo increased when new signing Baron Oketch replaced goal scorer Enock Agwanda in the 70th minute.

At one point, the former Western Stima winger rounded all Tusker defenders only failing to execute a shot past Martin Musalia. The brewers also had there second half share but never utilized the chances for goals.

Michael Khamati almost pulled back one on the 60th minute but defender Haroun Shakava cleared the danger eight minutes before Batambuze collided with Jerim Onyango inside the box in search of a goal.

As was the wish of Gor Mahia’s assistant Secretary General Ronald Ngala prior to this match, K’Ogalo are now adavantaged having won with a notable number of goals away from home.